Rhakta
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Hera, Heyga, Aresen, Arcene, Jorva, Albertina, Thistle, Baile, Tizinia, Elsa
Masculine names
Kaid, Walter, Lestar, Dregan, Asmon, Waldren, Donovan, Griswald, Brayde, Kirvon, Vern, Alfred, Ackerly, Cuthbert, Clifford, Edgar, Remignton, Ransford, Shaw, Seger
Family names
Numbhold, Bleachen, Deighton, Draugn, Bane, Rumlar, Alabaster, Staled, Nebula, Agen, Wormskin, Cadraven, Wirt, Rothenrot, Brotman, Hollowick, Nightcrawler, Quade, Marwood, Vitapaus, Shale
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Shale Tongue is the common tongue spoken among the civilized society of Rhakta however most upper classes are able to speak common and some lower as well. Scholars and other well-educated folk will speak further languages but this is uncommon.
Culture and cultural heritage
The culture of the Rhaktari is focused on respecting the above you and elevating yourself through industrious practice rather than underhanded means.
It is a society that prides itself on being civilized even though to many of the outside world they are seen as "abominations" and seen as their nature states them "undead".
It is a society that prides itself on being civilized even though to many of the outside world they are seen as "abominations" and seen as their nature states them "undead".
Shared customary codes and values
To prosper and endure for all time as a civilized society, the Rhakta dread running out of time. For a society built on endlessness, the concept of infinite becoming slowly and then suddenly finite is the most concerning of all. Therefore their shared values are to remain for as long as possible endless - storing and salvaging ways of passively generating anima to a point that their lifestyle runs at a cost less than their accrued anima.
Common Etiquette rules
It is rude to stare at "unsightly" aspects of others, eg stitching, scars, bone any visible signs of undeath.
In the same vain it is also rude to actively display your signs of undeath as well.
Greeting others in the street is common and courteous and encouraged to create a good society.
It is very rude to ask of someones Anima reserves unless required for business or reasons of health and or safety.
If you are to visit someone unknown to you it is common to send forward a card announcing at what day and time you will be arriving (No sooner than three days time), if there is no objection within the three-day period it is fair to arrive at that time.
To return conversation in the language it was spoken to you in, it is seen as rude if you don't.
In the same vain it is also rude to actively display your signs of undeath as well.
Greeting others in the street is common and courteous and encouraged to create a good society.
It is very rude to ask of someones Anima reserves unless required for business or reasons of health and or safety.
If you are to visit someone unknown to you it is common to send forward a card announcing at what day and time you will be arriving (No sooner than three days time), if there is no objection within the three-day period it is fair to arrive at that time.
To return conversation in the language it was spoken to you in, it is seen as rude if you don't.
Common Dress code
The dress code is very similar to the gothic/gilded era for men while the woman's attire. Examples of these are below.
Male dress code
Female dress code
Low status aesthetic
Male dress code
Female dress code
Low status aesthetic
Art & Architecture
The arts and culture is typically set around a gothic aesthetic and Rhaktari have a fine eye for ornate detailing, wealth is often displayed by fine art collections as well as wildly ornate housing, while still keeping within the gothic setting it is a proud display of wealth if you're able to obtain and display rare and exotic materials within your home.
Foods & Cuisine
Given food is not a requirement of life for Rhaktari it is often only consumed for taste and enjoyment, therefore it is a sign of status to be able to stomach rare and exotic foods. An event that causes for a celebration can be seen as much a test of one's status as it is a celebration of the event itself.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Animain Annulment Is observed in the Blightfel and widely seen as the largest public holiday in the region.
Adoption is a large tradition and a way of acquiring keen minds, and beautiful beings and bolstering the ranks of your family, to be adopted into a higher society is the dream of many of the lower class. Once adopted it is rare to be relinquished - a term used for disowning someone who has become a part of your family or disowning your family once they have agreed to take you in - these events are often seen as close to sin as can be.
Adoption is a large tradition and a way of acquiring keen minds, and beautiful beings and bolstering the ranks of your family, to be adopted into a higher society is the dream of many of the lower class. Once adopted it is rare to be relinquished - a term used for disowning someone who has become a part of your family or disowning your family once they have agreed to take you in - these events are often seen as close to sin as can be.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
To become one of the Rhakta you must relinquish your bond to mortality, severing your ties with your mortal flesh suit is a challenging and painful exercise, and given the way, the economy of the Blightfel works, as lucrative as the offer of eternity may seem. it is not often that one will forgo the balance of their days in order to join the society and become a Rhakta.
Those that do wish to become a Rhakta are taken before Griswold Alabaster to be judged. They agree on the amount of time given until they expire and then both parties sign and the process of renewal begins.
You spend the next seven days without food and little water, weakening your body till it is ready for anima extraction - extracting anima on a healthy body can be very painful as the body will often fight the draining forces.
The extraction typically takes between two to twenty days depending on the recipient and once complete the newly formed Rhakta is given it's allotted anima and their new life begins.
Those that do wish to become a Rhakta are taken before Griswold Alabaster to be judged. They agree on the amount of time given until they expire and then both parties sign and the process of renewal begins.
You spend the next seven days without food and little water, weakening your body till it is ready for anima extraction - extracting anima on a healthy body can be very painful as the body will often fight the draining forces.
The extraction typically takes between two to twenty days depending on the recipient and once complete the newly formed Rhakta is given it's allotted anima and their new life begins.
Funerary and Memorial customs
While avoiding death is the key objective of the Rhakta, it can happen. Either in the unfortunate event of running out of Anima - at which point the Rhakta goes through a turning process where their mind and soul decay over the course of three days, increasingly becoming more violent, less civilized, and finally void of emotion and a violent rampaging husk.
These Husks if left unchecked can wreak havoc and have been the cause of many avoidable deaths. Until they are slain often by local guards or The Silent Sisters
The second is the more preferred, which is a voluntary surrender of anima and forgoing your Everlife, this is a very rare event and typically only seen in noble houses. It occurs either when a Rhakta has brought great shame unto their house and the only course of redemption is either being exiled from the family and risk turning into a husk or voluntary surrender, there are other instances of voluntary surrender but they are rarer still than this.
These Husks if left unchecked can wreak havoc and have been the cause of many avoidable deaths. Until they are slain often by local guards or The Silent Sisters
The second is the more preferred, which is a voluntary surrender of anima and forgoing your Everlife, this is a very rare event and typically only seen in noble houses. It occurs either when a Rhakta has brought great shame unto their house and the only course of redemption is either being exiled from the family and risk turning into a husk or voluntary surrender, there are other instances of voluntary surrender but they are rarer still than this.
Common Myths and Legends
That there is a source of eternal anima that never dwindles on consumption. This has been the desire of many Rhakta but either no one has discovered it or if they have they're keeping it very guarded.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
To be as intact as possible, all the Rhakta are undead and the highest form of beauty is to be as close to your mortal form as possible. Those of low anima standing or who have unlived far beyond their maintainable selves are openly shunned from civilized society - showing bone is especially frowned upon.
Gender Ideals
Given the inability to reproduce gender ideals/roles are less prevalent within their society. The ideals of being industrious, entrepreneurial, and resourceful are highly prized and that is directly aligned with the security of time / Anima which is their highest form of currency.
Courtship Ideals
Given the nature of the Rhakta, courtship is often taken with a civilized approach. Having a keen understanding of older songs and dances is respected and admired - in Rhakta culture showing your age is often a sign of great status. Provided you adhere to the ideals of beauty as well.
Another sign of suitable courtship is either in one's anima reserves or their enterprising spirit in ways to acquire more of it.
Another sign of suitable courtship is either in one's anima reserves or their enterprising spirit in ways to acquire more of it.
Relationship Ideals
The Rhakta typically wed for periods of fifty or so years, with renewal ceremonies beyond this time. It is taboo to break a marriage before your fiftieth anniversary. It is ideal that both halves of the relationship contribute to the growth and development of the family and given their undead nature childbirth is not possible however adoption is a popular way of bringing friends and respected community members into your house and potentially growing your social / political standing.
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